JOBS LOST IN SHUFFLE

Sportsnet 650 changing its lineup

Sportsnet 650, the radio home of the Vancouver Canucks, cut four staff members on Tuesday and then announced it is rejigging its lineup of hosts.

Rick Dhaliwal, an industry veteran known for landing news scoops through his deep connections across the world of hockey and football, confirmed he’s among the people being let go.

Dhaliwal isn’t the only on-air personality who’s out.

Jawn Jang, who co-hosted the mid-morning show alongside Satiar Shah, confirmed he’s been let go.

“I’m simply grateful,” Jang said of his time at 650. “Grateful for the opportunity to have worked a dream job, meet incredible people, and connect with so many great listeners. Thanks for listening and see you soon.”

Two production side staffers were also let go, including afternoon show producer Cam Mitchell, who has worked in local sports radio for many years and also works on the production side of Sportsnet’s TV broadcasts, along with board operator Kellan Tochkin, who was once a Canucks prospect.

A spokesperson for Sportsnet didn’t say what motivated the layoffs, or why these four in particular were being let go, but did confirm the new host lineup that rolls out on Monday.

Afternoon drive-time host Scott Rintoul will move to the mid-morning slot, taking over for Shah and Jang. The new program will run from 9 a.m. to noon.

Rintoul will take over host duties for Canucks Central at Noon. Bik Nizzar joins him as co-host.

Shah takes over Rintoul’s chair for the afternoon drive-time show with Andrew Walker.

The hosts for morning drivetime show The Starting Lineup are still James Cybulski and Perry Solkowski. Mid-afternoon show Reach Deep also retains hosts Dan Riccio and Randip Janda.

Brian Wiebe, an instructor in BCIT’s broadcast and media department, said he’s never surprised to hear about layoffs at radio stations, though he was surprised by the personnel affected by Tuesday’s layoffs.

“A lot of times these moves are made to cut costs, and when they’re made to cut costs, oftentimes you’ll see more expensive people go,” he said.

“But with these, there’s no common thread.”

He called Tochkin’s departure “ridiculous.”

That said, he added this kind of news is a reminder of the reality of the business, especially when local management doesn’t have a lot of say in the decision.

“We tell them it’s a business first and foremost,” he said about preparing students heading into the broadcasting industry.

“We tell them that this is the kind of thing that can happen, especially when you don’t have local ownership. You’re just a number.

“In every line of work, layoffs happen all over the place. They’re just not people you heard of and read about ... It’s way more noticeable, because these people have a public presence.”

Like many others, Wiebe speculated that Rogers’ huge NHL TV contract, signed in 2013, was proving to be a financial challenge.